Cathedrals in the UK | Interactive Map Photo Gallery Cathedrals in Britain From the world-famous St Paul's in London to the charming 12th century St David's Cathedral in Wales, simply scroll down to see our interactive map of the Christian cathedrals in Britain. Although we have attempted to be as thorough as possible, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a cathedral that we have not included on the map. What is a Cathedral? A cathedral is not just a large church. The word 'cathedral' comes from the Latin word cathedra meaning 'seat' or 'chair', and refers to the presence of the bishop's or archbishop's chair or throne. It is the most important church in the diocese. What is a Minster - is it the same as a Cathedral? Sometimes but not always. Minsters were established during Anglo-Saxon times and were the churches attached to a monastery or monasterium. Nowadays the term 'minster' has come to refer more generally to any large or important, often parish, church. Famous minsters include York Minster, Southwell Minster and Westminster in London.

Cathedrals in England Aldershot Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of St Michael and St George serves as the Roman Catholic cathedral for the Bishopric of the Forces, which provides chaplains to the British Armed Forces. The church was designed in 1892 by two military engineers, originally intended as the principal church for the Anglican chaplaincies of the British Army, it eventually became the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Forces instead. Arundel Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Philip Howard, was dedicated in 1873 as the Catholic parish church of Arundel, and designated a cathedral in 1965. The cathedral's location, construction, and design owe much to the Howard family, who, as Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Arundel, are the most prominent Catholic family in England. The architectural style of the cathedral is French Gothic, a suitable counterpart to their nearby home …Arundel Castle. Birmingham Cathedral Church of England Designed by the English Baroque architect, Thomas Archer, St Philip's was originally built as a parish church in 1715.

It became the cathedral of the newly formed Diocese of Birmingham in 1905. Birmingham Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Metropolitan Cathedral Church and Basilica of Saint Chad was the first Catholic cathedral to be built in England after the English Reformation initiated in 1534 by King Henry VIII. Designed by Augustus Pugin, it was completed in 1841 and raised to cathedral status in 1852. Blackburn Cathedral Church of England One of England's newest cathedrals, with the creation of the Diocese of Blackburn in 1926, the parish church of St Mary the Virgin was elevated to cathedral status. The church, which was built in 1826, now forms the cathedral's nave. Bradford Cathedral Church of England A site of Christian worship since Anglo-Saxon times, a later Norman church stood for 300 years before being destroyed by raiding Scots. During the fourteenth century the church was rebuilt, the oldest parts of the present building were completed in 1458. Brentwood Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Helen dates from 1861.

Originally a parish church built in a gothic style, this relatively small building was elevated to Cathedral status in 1917. Enlarged between 1989-1991, the new cathedral was dedicated on 31 May 1991. Bristol Cathedral Church of England Founded as St Augustine's Abbey in 1140, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity became the seat of the bishop and cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol in 1542. St Edmundsbury Cathedral Church of England A church has stood on the site of the current cathedral for over a 1,000 years. Largely rebuilt in the 16th century St James Church became St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 1914. Canterbury Cathedral Church of England One of the oldest and most famous Christian buidlings in England, the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury, is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Founded in 597, it was completely rebuilt 1070-77.

Carlisle Cathedral Church of England The second smallest (after Oxford), of England's ancient cathedrals, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity was founded as an Augustinian monastery in 1122, and was elevated to cathedral status in 1133. Chelmsford Cathedral Church of England Originally dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, the first church on the site of the present Cathedral was founded, along with the town of Chelmsford itself, some 800 years ago. It became a Cathedral in 1914. Chester Cathedral Church of England Formerly the abbey church of St Werburgh's, a Benedictine monastery, the cathedral is part of a heritage site that also includes the former monastic buildings. The cathedral has been modified many times from its foundation in 1093, through to the early 16th century. Chichester Cathedral Church of England Founded as a cathedral in 1075, when the seat of the bishop was moved from nearby Selsey. It was completed under Bishop Ralph de Luffa in time for its dedication to the Holy Trinity in 1108.

Clifton Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Commissioned in 1965, the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul was constructed over a three year period and was consecrated on 29th June 1973 Coventry Cathedral Church of England The new St Michael's Cathedral stands alongside the ruined shell of its predecessor, destroyed in a bombing raid during the Second World War. Together in hallowed ground, the two create one living Cathedral. Derby Cathedral Church of England The building previously known as All Saints' Church, became a cathedral in 1927. The current structure dates mainly from the 18th century with a 16th century tower, although the original church was founded in 943 by King Edmund I. Durham Cathedral Church of England Founded in 1093, the cathedral is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture and replaced the 10th century "White Church", which was built as part of a monastic foundation to house the shrine of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.

Ely Cathedral Church of England Known locally as "the ship of the Fens", the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely dates from 1083. It stands on the site of a much earlier Anglo-Saxon church, founded by St. Etheldreda around 673. Exeter Cathedral Church of England The founding of a cathedral at Exeter dates from 1050, when the seat of the bishop of Devon and Cornwall was moved from Crediton, due to the fear of pagan raids from the sea. The present Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, was completed around 1400, although Its official foundations date from 1133. Gloucester Cathedral Church of England The origins of the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity date from Osric, an Anglo-Saxon prince in 678. The foundations of the present church were laid by Abbot Serlo in 1089. Guildford Cathedral Church of England Stands in a commanding position, the solid red brick outline of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, Guildford, can be seen from from miles around.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1936, however the Second World War delayed its consecration until 1961. Hereford Cathedral Church of England Although a place of Christian worship since the 8th century, the earliest surviving building is the 11th century bishop's chapel. The current medieval Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin and St Ethelbert the King, dates mainly from the 14th to 16th centuries. Lancaster Cathedral Roman Catholic Church A former a Roman Catholic parish church dating from 1859, it was elevated to the status of the Cathedral Church of St Peter, in 1924. Leeds Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Built in 1878, the original cathedral was located in St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, but that building was demolished by Leeds Corporation in 1899. A new site was found and the current cathedral building was completed in 1904. Leicester Cathedral Church of England A church dedicated to St Martin has been on the current site since 1086, when the older Saxon church was replaced by a Norman one. The church was elevated to Cathedral status in 1927.

Lichfield Cathedral Church of England The religious centre of the Kingdom of Mercia since 669, the early wooden Saxon church of St Chad was replaced by a Norman cathedral in 1085, then by the current Gothic cathedral begun in 1195. Lincoln Cathedral Church of England Construction of the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, began in 1088 and continued throughout the medieval period. Suffering fire and earthquakes in its early years, it was said to be the tallest building in world for 238 years, until its central spire collapsed in 1549. Liverpool Cathedral Church of England Although the foundation stone was laid by King Edward VII in 1904, the building of the cathedral was delayed first through design and redesign issues, and then still further by two world wars. A service of dedication was finally held in October 1978. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Initially, Sir Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to provide a design, which if built, would have become the second-largest church in the world. Building work began in June 1933.

In 1941, the restrictions of World War II and rising costs from £3-£27 million, forced construction to stop. Work eventually recommenced on the crypt, which was finished in 1958. The present Cathedral was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd. Construction took place between October 1962 and May 1967, but soon after its opening, it began to exhibit architectural flaws. This led to the cathedral authorities suing Sir Frederick for £1.3 million. London Cathedral (St Paul's) Church of England A cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood atop Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, for more than 1,400 years. The present structure, the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth to have stood on the site. Built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed by the Great Fire of London. London Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, is the cathedral of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in Great Britain.

The structure was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of the Natural History Museum, and built as the King’s Weigh House Chapel in 1891. Manchester Cathedral Church of England Although extensively restored and extended during the Victorian era, and then again after severe bomb damage during the Manchester Blitz of 1940, the main body of the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, largely derives from a medieval parish church Middlesbrough Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin is a modern, light building, specifically designed to involve the congregation in active participation. An earlier cathedral, on another site in the city, had served the community since 1879. Newcastle Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, is named after the patron saint of sailors and boats. Originally a parish church dating from 1091, this was destroyed by fire in 1216 and later rebuilt in 1359. It became a cathedral in 1882 when the Diocese of Newcastle was created. Newcastle Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St.

Mary, was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and built in the Gothic Revival style of architecture championed by him, between 1842 and 1844. It gained the status of a cathedral church in 1850. Norwich Cathedral Church of England Dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Norwich Cathedral was built between 1096-1145 and added to throughout the medieval period. An earlier Saxon settlement and two churches were demolished to make room for the buildings. Norwich Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist is the second largest Roman Catholic cathedral in England. Constructed between 1882 and 1910 as a parish church, it was consecrated as the cathedral for the Diocese of East Anglia in 1976. Northampton Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The origins of the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Thomas date back to 1840, when Augustus Pugin was commisioned to design a collegiate chapel. Pugin's son Edward, was invited to further extend the building creating the current cathedral, which opened in 1864.

Nottingham Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Designed by Augustus Pugin, the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas was built between 1841-1844. It was raised to cathedral status in 1852, by a decree of Pope Pius IX. Oxford Cathedral Church of England Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral for the Diocese of Oxford, in addition, it is also the chapel of Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford. Originally the church of St Frideswide's Priory, Cardinal Wolsey began the building of his college here in 1522. Peel Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral Church of Saint German is the parish church of the parish of German, which was built 1879-84. It was made a cathedral by an Act of Tynwald in 1980. The remains of the original cathedral (circa 1183) lie within the walls of Peel Castle, which fell into ruin in the 18th century. Peterborough Cathedral Church of England With its origins dating back to King Peada, who founded the first monastery on the site in 655.

It was built in its present form between 1118 and 1238, and became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Peterborough in 1541. Plymouth Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface first opened for Catholic Mass on 25th March 1858, and was consecrated in September 1880. The Patron St Boniface was born in nearby Crediton. Portsmouth Cathedral Church of England Around 1180, Jean de Gissor, a wealthy Norman merchant gifted land to Augustinian canons, to build a chapel "to the Glorious Honour of the Martyr Thomas of Canterbury." The chapel first became a parish church in the 14th century and a cathedral in the 20th century. Portsmouth Cathedral Roman Catholic Church St John's Cathedral opened for worship in August 1882 and was immediately made the Mother Church of the new Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. It replaced a chapel built in 1796, which subsequently closed.

The cathedral was completed in four phases, between 1882 and 1906 Ripon Cathedral Church of England Saint Wilfred built one of England’s first stone churches on this site in 672. Today’s church is the fourth to have occupied this site. The tiny 7th century chapel remains complete beneath the later grandeur of Archbishop Roger de Pont l’Evêque’s 12th century minster. Rochester Cathedral Church of England The second oldest bishopric in England, the Rochester diocese was founded by Justus, one of the missionaries who accompanied St Augustine of Canterbury in the early 7th century. The present building dates back to the work of the French monk, Gundulf, in 1080. St Albans Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban is dedicated to Britain's first Christian martyr. Alban surrendered his life for his faith in the pre-Christian Roman city of Verulamium, present day St Albans. Much of its present architecture is Norman, and it became a cathedral in 1877. Salford Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of St.

John the Evangelist was built between 1844-48 to designs of Matthew Ellison Hadfield. It was the first Catholic church to be built in cruciform shape since the Reformation and was closely modelled on the Gothic builders of the 13th and 14th centuries. Salisbury Cathedral Church of England In 1220 AD Bishop Richard Poore and his architect Elias de Derham set about building a new state-of-the-art Gothic style cathedral to replace the old Norman Cathedral at Old Sarum. Completed in just 38 years, it features a single consistent architectural style. Sheffield Cathedral Church of England Originally a parish church, the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield was elevated to cathedral status when the new diocese was created in 1914. The current structure has been changed and rebuilt over several centuries. Sheffield Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Designed by Matthew Ellison Hadfield, the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Marie was closely modelled on a 14th century church at Heckington, Lincolnshire. St Marie’s opened in 1850, and was consecrated after the buidling debt had been paid off in 1889.

Shrewsbury Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Designed by Edward Pugin the son of Augustus, the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Our Lady, Help of Christians and St. Peter of Alcantara, was completed in 1856. A much grander building had been planned, but these designs could not be carried out due to the site's weak foundations. Southwark Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie 'over the water' has been a place of Christian worship for more than 1,000 years, but a cathedral only since the creation of the diocese of Southwark in 1905. The church in its present form, dates between 1220-1420. Southwark Cathedral (or St George's Cathedral) Roman Catholic Church Situated opposite the Imperial War Museum close to Waterloo station, St George's Cathedral was consecrated in 1848 but was heavily damaged by bombing in World War 2. The photo on the right shows a priest surveying the damage. Southwell Minster Church of England The earliest church on the site is believed to have been founded in 627.

The Norman reconstruction of the minster began in 1108, probably as a gradual rebuilding of the Anglo-Saxon stone church. The minster finally became a cathedral in 1884. Truro Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro, was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style between 1880 -1910, on the site of the 16th century parish church of St Mary the Virgin. Wakefield Cathedral Church of England The Cathedral Church of All Saints is situated in the centre of Wakefield, on the site of a Saxon church. The current Norman structure was rebuilt in 1329, and rebuilt and enlarged again in 1469. All Saints Church became the cathedral of the diocese in 1888. Wells Cathedral Church of England The first church was established on the site in 705 by King Ine of Wessex. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1175 and was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239. Westminster Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales.

The site was purchased by the Archdiocese of Westminster in 1885 and construction started in 1895. The cathedral opened in 1903, however due to a quirk of Catholic Church law the consecration ceremony did not take place until June 1910. Winchester Cathedral Church of England A cathedral was founded close to the current building in 652, when England’s pagan monarchy first became Christians. Known as the Old Minster, it was demolished in 1093, immediately after the consecration of its new Norman successor. Worcester Cathedral Church of England The current Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester, was built between 1084-1504, and as such almost every style of English architecture is represented. The older Saxon cathedral it replaced was founded in 680. York Minster Church of England The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England. The first recorded church on the site was a wooden structure hurriedly built in 627 to provide a place to baptise Edwin, King of Northumbria.

The current Norman style building dates from 1080, which has been added to over the centuries. Abderdeen Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St Andrew opened in 1817 as St Andrew's Chapel and was raised to Cathedral status in 1914. Designed by local architect Archibald Simpson, who became famous for planning the new town of Edinburgh. Ayr Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of Saint Margaret, also known as Ayr Cathedral, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway. St Margaret’s was designated a cathedral in 2007, and is the most recent church to be given status as a Roman Catholic cathedral in the United Kingdom. Dornoch Cathedral Church of Scotland Dornoch Cathedral was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Alexander II as the cathedral church of the diocese of Caithness. It was built by Gilbert de Moravia, Bishop of Caithness, at his own expense. Almost totally destroyed during a fire in 1570, it was partially restored in 1616 and fully restored in 1837.

Dundee Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church Built on the site a medieval seat of power in the area, the foundation stone of the Anglican St Paul's Cathedral was laid on 21 July 1853 and it was completed in 1855. Designed by George Gilbert Scott in Middle Gothic style, it was raised to cathedral status in 1905. Edinburgh St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Edinburgh, was consecrated in 1879. St Mary’s is Scotland’s largest cathedral, and a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Edinburgh St Giles Cathedral Church of Scotland Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St Giles is dedicated to the patron saint of Edinburgh. A place of worship for over 900 years, the present cathedral dates from the late 14th century but with extensive 19th century restorations. Glasgow Cathedral Church of Scotland Glasgow church is reputedly built on the same site where the Patron Saint of Glasgow, St Mungo, built his own church in the early 7th century.

The current building dates from the 13th century, and is one of the few medieval cathedrals in Scotland to have survived the reformation intact. St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, was opened on 9 November 1871 as St Mary's Episcopal Church and was completed in 1893. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it was raised to cathedral status in 1908. It is one of four cathedrals in Glasgow. Inverness Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Episcopal Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew was designed by local architect Alexander Ross, with construction starting in 1866, the building work was completed in 1869. A lack of funding meant that the two giant spires featured in his design were never realised. Millport Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is Britain’s smallest Cathedral and dates from 1851. Planned as a theological college for the Scottish Episcopal Church, it was seen as a “new” Iona, and in 1876 was consecrated Cathedral of the Isles.

Motherwell Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Good Aid, popularly known as Motherwell Cathedral, opened as a Roman Catholic parish church in December 1900, it was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1948. Oban Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The congregation of the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine first gathered in 1846. Construction work continued on the structure until 1910, when funds ran out. Paisley Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Dedicated to the patron saint of Paisley, the Cathedral Church of Saint Mirin was completed in 1931. A former Roman Catholic parish church, it was raised to cathedral status in 1948. Neo-Romanesque in style, its architect was Thomas Baird. Perth Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral Church of St Ninian was built on the site of an older Dominican monastery and was the first to be built in Britain since the Reformation, being consecrated in 1850. Designed by the London architect, William Butterfield, it was completed by 1914. Bangor Cathedral The Church in Wales Originally occupied by St.

Deiniol's monastery, established around 525, Bangor Cathedral is located on a low-lying and inconspicuous site, possibly to avoid the attention of raiders from the sea. The earliest part of the present building dates from the episcopate of Bishop David 1120–1139. Today's structure is the result of extensive work carried out under the supervision of Sir George Gilbert Scott begun in 1868. Brecon Cathedral The Church in Wales Previously the church of Brecon Priory founded in 1093, and later the 16th century Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, it became Brecon Cathedral in 1923. It is thought that the Norman Priory might have been built on the site of an older, possibly Celtic, church. Cardiff Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St David was designed by the London firm of architects of Pugin & Pugin and constructed between 1884-87. Damaged by World War II bombing in 1941, it was restored and rebuilt during the 1950’s and re-opened in March 1959.

Llandaff Cathedral The Church in Wales The Cathedral Church of SS Peter & Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy, is one of two cathedrals in Cardiff, the other being the Catholic Cardiff Cathedral. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church. Newport Cathedral The Church in Wales Newport’s St. Woolos Cathedral has sections that date from Anglo-Saxon times, together with a large 12th century Norman Nave enclosed within later mediaeval aisles. Restored whilst still a church in 1850, St. Woolos attained full cathedral status in 1949. St Asaph Cathedral The Church in Wales Saint Kentigern built his church on this site in 560. When he returned to Strathclyde in 573, he left Asa (or Asaph) as his successor. Since that time the Cathedral has been dedicated to Saint Asaph. Reputed to be the smallest Anglican cathedral in Great Britain, the present building dates mainly from the 13th century.

St David's Cathedral The Church in Wales The monastic community was founded by Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant), Abbot of Menevia, during the 6th century. During the next 450 years the monastry was regularly plagued by sea-born raiders. In 1115, with the area now under Norman control, the life of the community began to improve and construction of a new Cathedral began. The present Cathedral was started in 1181, and completed shortly afterwards. Swansea Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Joseph was designed by Peter Paul Pugin and took two years to build. Originally dedicated as a church the building opened in 1888, and was elevated to a cathedral status in 1987. Wrexham Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Originally built as a Roman Catholic Parish Church in 1857, the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was designed by Edward Welby Pugin, son of the famous Augustus. In true family tradition, it adopted a 14th century Gothic Style. Have we missed something?

Although we've tried our hardest to list every cathedral in Britain, we're almost postitive that a few have slipped through our net... that's where you come in! If you've noticed a site that we've missed, please help us out by filling in the form below. If you include your name we'll be sure to credit you on the website. Name of Destination* Description Please tell us a little bit about the attraction, site or destination that we have missed. (Not required) Related Articles Chad of Lichfield - OrthodoxWiki Chad of Lichfield Jump to: navigation , search This article or section needs a cleanup to bring it to a higher standard of quality. Recommendation: More detailed comments may be noted on the talk page . You can help OrthodoxWiki by editing it , especially to conform to the Style Manual and the suggestions in How to write a great article . Our father among the saints Chad of Lichfield and Mercia (+672) also called St. Caedda was a missionary , bishop , healer , and wonderworker who spread the Orthodox Catholic Faith throughout the British Isles. His feast day is commemorated on March 2 .

Contents Life The Simple Monastic Everything we know of this great hierarch comes from the writings of St. Bede in his "Ecclesiastical History", written in 731. St. Chad, the youngest of four brothers, was born into a humble Northumbrian family near the beginning of the seventh century. His brothers, St. Cedd , St. Cynebil and righteous Caelin all became monks. A family of saints, these four men studied under the great sainted-hierarch and monk, Aidan of Lindisfarne . Saint Aidan was a great source of spiritual insight to these four men, all four became priests of the holy Church. They were sent to Ireland under the great geronda (elder) and saint, Egbert , at the monastery of Rathmelsige (Melfont), for advanced study and training in the monastic life. Chad worked tirelessly with his brother Cedd (who had been made bishop of London), they established the monastery of Laestingaeu, now Lastingham in Yorkshire. Upon the death of his brother Cedd in 664, Chad succeeded him as abbot. The Humble Bishop St.

Wilfrid was chosen to become bishop of Lindisfarne after the death of bishop Tudi. He travelled to Gaul for consecration and remained so long absent that King Oswiu (ruler of Northumbria) demanded a bishop. Having learned of the missionary exploits and great humility of Chad, called for his election as Bishop of York, to which place the See of Lindisfarne had been transferred. St. Chad was consecrated (uncanonically) by Bishop Wini of Worcester and two schismatic British bishops to the See of York. Saint Chad was hesitant to be bishop, he wanted no part of it, but ultimately he was obedient. As bishop of York, he was much beloved by his flock, travelling great distances on foot to care for his "little sheep." When St. Wilfrid returned to York and found out his See was given away, he made no objection and retired to a monastery in peace. Saint Chad, a Celtic Bishop, played a huge role in unifying the Church in 664 by accepting and recommending to his fellow bishops the adoption of the Orthodox Nicaean calendar.

In the year 668, Saint Theodore of Tarsus assumed the central Cathedra and became Archbishop of Canterbury and immediately sought about reforming the churches in England and Ireland. Up until this time, the Church in the Isles was not following proper canonical order set down by the Ecumenical Councils. St. Theodore of Tarsus was sent by the Pope of Rome to restore order in the British and Irish churches. Saint Theodore was a wise bishop and a deeply spiritual monastic. While travelling to York he was shocked to find that St. Wilfrid was not the canonical bishop of York. The consecration of St. Chad was uncanonical due to three points made by St. Theodore: 1. The British bishops refused to acknowledge the canonical (Julian) Church calendar established by the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (of which Rome and the four Eastern Patriarchates adhered to) 2. The bishops were out of communion with the Universal Church. 3. An improperly performed consecration ceremony. St. Theodore decided that in good church order, St. Chad must give up the See of York to it's rightfully elected bishop, St. Wilfrid. St.

Chad in astounding humility responded, "If you decide that I have not rightly received the episcopal character, I willingly lay down the office; for I have never thought myself worthy of it, but under obedience, I, though unworthy, consented to undertake it." Seeing in him a true bishop, a man of such humble and angelic character, St. Theodore pleaded with Chad to continue in his archpastoral ministry. St. Theodore provided what was lacking from St. Chad's consecration ("ipse ordinationem ejus denuo catholica ratione consummavit" - Bede, Hist. Eccl. IV, 2) and completed the rite according to the Orthodox Roman Rubricon . St. Wilfrid remained as bishop of York and St. Chad returned to his monastery in Lastingham. The Missionary In 669, King Wulfere demanded a bishop for his people in Mercia. St. Chad was called on by St. Theodore of Tarsus to be archpastor of the Mercian people. Mercia was a land of deeply rooted pagan beliefs, and a large area at that. St.

Chad considered this to be his true work, bringing the Mercian people to Christ. He soon discovered that a great persecution occurred on the plains of Lichfield, deep within the Mercian lands. The Roman emperor Diocletian had exterminated 1000 martyrs on the plains of Lichfield in the year 303A.D, they are known as the Martyrs of Lichfield . St. Chad considering this to be a holy place moved the See of Mercia from Repton to the exact spot of the massacre in Lichfield, where his new diocesan Cathedral and Monastery were to built. St. Chad is considered the first bishop of Lichfield. As Bishop of Lichfield, Chad carried out his missionary and pastoral work with zeal. The kingdom of Mercia was huge, and Chad spent much of his time travelling by foot. In accordance with the Celtic tradition, in which he had been brought up, he at first insisted on making all journeys on foot, following the example of the apostles. However, St. Theodore insisted that Chad used a horse for long journeys. St.

Chad, unwilling to do anything that he felt would put him above the common man, refused, but Theodore, St. Bede tells us, "lifted Chad bodily onto the horse himself." The Wonderworker His exploits were known throughout all Mercia, St. Chad was known to have retired, from time to time, to the bottom of a smalll well where he could contemplate and "pray without ceasing." The people would say that they knew when St. Chad was in his well, "a light like that of the sun, would shine from the bottom of the well." St. Chad was seen in the uncreated light by countless many. His humble prayers could easily cure illnesses and demonic possession. A gifted man of prayer he was also a source of forgiveness even to those who would seek his destruction. King Wulfere was a pagan, but also a good statesman. He used Christianity to control his subjects, he secretly despised the Faith. One day, the sons of Wulfere, Princes Wulfade and Ruffin were out hunting a dear near the saint's cell, when they approached the saint and asked about "the One called Jesus".

So struck by the holy elder's words they both asked to be immediately baptised into Christ's holy Church. Wulfere, so enraged by the actions of his sons, killed them with his own hands. Afterwards, filled with such remorse the King suffered in both body and spirit by the loss of his children. He was counselled by his queen to ask the holy elder to forgive him and to hear his confession. As he approached the holy hierarch's cell he was witness to a great sight, the uncreated light of Tabor that shown upon the saint's visage. The king fell down in prostrate and begged his forgiveness and to truly bring him into the Orthodox Christian faith. As a penance for the murder of his children, the saint told him to build churches and monasteries in the name of Jesus Christ. He did so, and up until the end of the saint's earthly life, King Wulfere remained a humble servant of the holy elder. The Seer of Angels Owini, a novice monk under St. Chad's care, was working alone in the fields near Chad's residence. When he heard the sound of singing apparently descending from the sky to the rectory where the saint was praying.

The angelic chanting could be heard for half an hour before returning heavenwards. Chad then summoned his monks and, after urging them to live good Christian lives and to continue in keeping the rules of monastic discipline, announced that he would soon die. When the other fathers had gone away, Owini returned to Chad and begged to know what the singing had been that he had heard. St. Chad replied that he had been visited by angelic hosts summoning him to heaven and that the angels would return in seven days to take him to heaven. He then commanded the young monk to tell no one of this until after his death. St. Chad was quickly taken ill (probably by the plague) and on the seventh day (March 2, 672), "his holy soul was released from the prison-house of the body and, one may rightly believe, was taken by the angels to the joys of heaven". St. Chad was bishop of Lichfield and Mercia for just three years, his emulation of Christ ended as it began. Bede goes on to tell us that he was called "saint" immediately after his death.

Miracles and cures of all ailments occurred at the place of his death, his reliquary, his well and anywhere his holy relics travelled. His holy relics are preserved in the Roman Catholic Cathedral that bears his name in Birmingham, England. Succession box: Some Early English Saints, Kings and Queens c275 - c303 (28) Thought to have been a Palestinian who was a senior officer in the Roman army of Roman Emperor Diocletian (c236 - 284 - 305 - c316 (80)), who was responsible for the last great Christian persecution before Constantine's Edict of Milan (313) made Christians the flavour of the month. George secretly converted to Christianity and had his head chopped off in Lydda, Palestine, after he outed himself.

His memory was rediscovered when there was a need for military models in and after crusading times (c1100 - c1300), and he slipped into the role of Patron Saint of England (replacing England's only sainted King - Edward, who was neither knight nor dragon killer - see below) after King Edward III , who wanted more knighthood, had formed the Order of the Garter in 1350 and associated George's name with it as Patron. A seemingly strange choice for England, especially as they share him with freemasons, scouts, the US Armoured Brigade, the Greek Army, Portugal, Aragon & Catalonia, Georgia, Moscow, Beirut, and numerous other places and causes including the UNESCO World Books and Copyright day (what?). A utility rather than special saint - George also has a slot in Islam. c523 - 597 (74) Irish monastic promoter "The Dove of the Church" who left Ireland for the remote Island of Iona full of remorse after causing a very bloody war over an intellectual property dispute. He developed Iona into a major centre of monasticism and learning. Coincidentally he died in the same year that Augustine got going in Canterbury .

Amongst many other places, his name was adopted by the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba in Lombardy, after his spirit (as a dove) assisted in the relocation of the abbey buildings. ? - 604 In 597 Pope Gregory the Great (the Gregorian Chanter) ordered a reluctant Augustine off to England to convert the Brits to Christianity. Augustine based himself with a monastic community known by the name of "Saints Peter and Paul" in Canterbury , and quickly persuaded King Aethelbert of Kent to become the first of the (Germanic) Anglo-Saxon Kings to be baptized, which happened on Whitsunday (Pentecost) 597. As the conversion process started rolling across the other Anglo Saxon kingdoms, Augustine set about a codification of the law for the first time. As well as the usual injunctions against murder, adultery etc, the code contained an extensive list of the tariffs applicable for each crime .... with regard to delimbing the most expensive crime by a factor of ten was to wipe out a bloke's tackle. If you want to wipe out the bloke himself, then the best bargain by far was to pick a Welshman.

c605 - 642 (37) Northern English King, convert, martyr, whose skull ended up packaged with Cuthbert's remains by the time the latter got to his shrine in Durham. ?? - 651 An Irish monk from Saint Colomba's monastery on the Island of Iona, Aidan established a monastery on the Island of Lindisfarne at the invitation of King Oswald in 635. Lindisfarne is a low lying island on the north-eastern seaboard of England near the Scottish border. Chad's elder brother, who amongst other things founded a monastery at Lastingham. ?? - 672 Originally one of Aidens lads from Lindisfarne / Northumbria. He eventually became the first Bishop of Mercia, based in Lichfield. His relics were translated to Lichfield Cathedral in 1148 and moved to a bigger shrine structure in the cathedral's Lady Chapel in 1296. The shrine was one of the few to be left intact by Henry VIII's men in the 1530/40s after a successful plea by the Bishop, Rowland Lee.

But the reprieve was not a lasting one and the shrine and Chad's remains disappeared. A few bones claimed to be Chad's (including two left femurs) resurfaced much later, and are now in Saint Chad's (Roman Catholic) Cathedral in Birmingham. 614 -680 (66) Abbess of Whitby who was the leading light of the famous Synod of Whitby , which took place in 664. This addressed various conflicts (including the date of Easter) between the Celtic church (which had come with people like Saint Aidan from never Romanized Ireland to convert northern England and particularly the Kingdom of Northumberland), and the Roman church (which had filtered north after the conversion successes of the Romanized Augustine in Canterbury). Differences were mostly resolved in favour of the Roman church's viewpoint, as a result of which many of the "Irish school tradition" monks at places like Lindisfarne went home. Over a thousand years later, the ships Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure and Discovery were built at Whitby, and manned by men of the town when they undertook three epic voyages of discovery under the command of Captain James Cook in the 1770s.

Amongst other things, these resulted in the "discovery" of Australia. Venerable Bede (aka Saint Bede the Venerable) c673 - 735 (62) Historian monk based at Jarrow, who wrote " The Ecclesiastical History of the English Peoples " which did for the lasting memory of early English / Celtic saints what Giorgio Vasari was later to do for Renaissance artists. The only English Doctor of the Church , and the only Englishman to rate a mention in Dante's Paradiso (alongside Saint Isidore of Seville ). His tomb, reduced from a much grander affair pre-Henry VIII, is in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral . Ethelbert II - Saint and King of the East Angles ? - 794 Ethelbert may already have been King of the East Angles for some time when he made what proved to be a fateful journey west to seek the hand of Aelfryth, daughter of the powerful King Offa of Mercia. For some reason Offa had him killed instead, and he was buried in Hereford - probably somewhere in what is now Hereford Cathedral .

His life had been accompanied by "supernatural events" and his shrine attracted a brisk pilgrim trade for many years. In the early 1300s Hereford, which had for a long time possessed one of the many Limoge made Becket (d1170) reliquary chasses , invented its very own Saint Thomas in the form of Bishop Thomas Cantilupe (d1282), and his shrine (whose tomb, most unusually, is still there), took over from Ethelbert's as a pilgrim honeypot, though today's Cathedral remains half dedicated to the sainted King. ? - 757 - 796 The most powerful of the Anglo Saxon Kings, Offa, is mainly remembered today because of "Offa's Dyke" - a long defensive trench he built to keep out the Welsh. He produced some fine coins (including a copy of an Abbasid Dinar which he thought had the right sort of look) and also persuaded the Pope to set up a new Archdiocese based on Lichfield which covered all the Midlands and East Anglia.

Built from 1093 onwards The masons who built Durham were the first in Europe to have the skill and courage to throw a full stone roof over a large choir and nave (1093 - 1133), and to do so they invented ribbed vaulting (and also concealed flying buttresses). Durham housed the shrine of Saint Cuthbert and the tomb of the Venerable Bede, and was the most visited pilgrimage destination in England before Becket mania took over in the south in the 1200s. c1110 - 1147 - 1167 (57) Rievaulx was founded in 1131 - Yorkshire's first Cistercian abbey . Its third Abbot - Saint Aelred - was one of the leading European ecclesiastics of the 1100s both in terms of holiness, scholarship and statesmanship. He was also responsible for building many of the abbey and monastery buildings whose ruins can still be seen today.

1118 - 29/12/1170 (52) Lord Chancellor of Plantagenet Henry II's England, and later Archbishop of Canterbury, who was famously murdered (beheaded and brained or vice-versa) in his cathedral by four knights plus retainers on 29 December 1170. Becket was not a popular, saintly or even particularly nice person, but the manner of his death fired up huge public interest, and within two years he had become a Euro Celebrity and was canonised. Graphic representations of his killing appeared in places as far away as Sicily (Mosaic in Monreale Cathedral), Spoleto (Umbria - fresco in the church of Saints John and Paul) and the pilgrimage churches of France such as Chartres ( an entire window sponsored by the Guild of Tanners dedicated to Becket's life ), as well as many English churches. His tomb and shrine in Canterbury Cathedral and the dozens of Limoge Chasses containing Becket "relics" gave new meaning to the commercial possibilities of pilgrimage and medieval celebritydom.

Before his fateful return to England, Becket had sheltered in Sens, then been put up for three years by the monks of the Cistercian Abbey of Pontigny, in Burgundy and whilst there had dumped on Henry big time from the pulpit of the Abbaye Ste-Madeleine in nearby V�zelay . St Chad's Cathedral - Birmingham - Roman Catholic Tweets by @Pontifex Discover St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham Welcome to St Chad’s, the first Catholic Cathedral erected in Great Britain in 1841 following the Reformation of the 16th Century. St Chad’s was designed by the great Gothic Revivalist Augustus Welby Pugin, who was also responsible for the Palaces of Westminster and the iconic clock tower of Big Ben. The Cathedral is home to the relics of St Chad, which were originally interred in a shrine at Lichfield Cathedral in the year 672 AD. The Cathedral celebrated its centenary in 1941 and was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII. 24 Hours of Prayer taking place in St Chad’s Cathedral Timetable download St Chad’s is known across the world as a beautiful building with a remarkable history and a rich heritage.

But it is first and foremost a House of God. St Chad’s is the Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham which covers five counties. It is a place for worship and prayer, a place where we can meet God and offer him our praise and thanksgiving and bring him our needs and concerns. I hope that you will capture something of the beauty and the love of God as you explore our web-site. Catholics believe that we all need God, and that we discover and know him through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus founded the Church so that his message of faith, hope and love could be passed on to every generation. Our mission at St Chad’s is to offer that message of faith to everyone. God wants to touch your life and to help you achieve your full dignity as a human being. In other words, to become like Jesus the perfect man. I pray that all of us here at St Chad’s can help you in your journey of faith.

Question: In which English city is the Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Chad?
Answer: BIRMINGHAM